Matru… recovers costs, becomes Bhardwaj's biggest film

Anushka Sharma and Imran Khan will be seen romancing onscreen for the first time in Vishal Bhardwaj's next Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola. The film ...

Imran Khan will be seen in a rustic avatar in Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola.

Anushka Sharma will be seen in a raunchy avatar in the flick. The film stars Imran Khan, Anushka Sharma and Arya Babbar in the lead ...

Bollywood will witness some never seen before on screen jodis in 2013. Imran Khan and Anushka Sharma have been paired opposite each other in Vishal ...

Anushka Sharma is playing Imran Khan's wife in the film, with whom he tries to re-unite.

Actors Pankaj Kapoor and Shabana Azmi will also appear in the supporting roles.

Anushka Sharma and Imran Khan in a still from the movie.

Anushka Sharma looks sexy in her new look from the film.

The plot of the film is about a wayward man (Imran Khan) sets on a rustic journey to re-unite with his wife (Anushka Sharma) and ...

Imran Khan will also be seen in a rustic avatar, way different from his boyish image.

Matru ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, (MKBKM), a political satire with a dollop of humour, may not have got an overwhelming response but it has recovered its costs by collecting Rs. 41.15 crore worldwide in the first week of its release, making it Vishal Bhardwaj's biggest film yet.

Fox Star Studios and VB Pictures made “Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola” for Rs.33 crore. It has garnered Rs.33.15 crore net at the domestic box office and Rs.8 crore from the overseas market. The revenues from TV, Music and Home Video further boosted its profit, said a statement.

Criticism notwithstanding, Bhardwaj is happy and said: “This is my biggest opening and appreciation is coming from a lot of people. But I am really happy and relieved about the fact that I am able to make the kind of movie that I want to make and still have a profitable film. ”

Critics have lauded Pankaj Kapur's performance in the film, which also sees superb acting by Shabana Azmi. The two veterans are ably supported by Imran Khan, Anushka Sharma and Arya Babbar.

Pritish Nandy calls it a “wicked wit” and added that Pankaj Kapur has proved again “his peerless acting prowess”.

A satirical commentary on the country's social system, MKBKM story takes place in a small town in Haryana.

“It has certainly appealed to the multiplex audiences. As there was no competition, people have lapped it up,” said Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan.

Even Amitabh Bachchan praised Bhardwaj's endeavour to target corruption in the society using satire as a medium to talk to the masses, and tweeted: “A land issue much like Singur, rich and poor divide, communism of takes, anti-alcohol, love triangle (DDLJ style), politics - all portrayed in a manner not unknown to us, yet unknown ….a composite satire, if ever satires could be composite.”

For Anurag Kashyap "Matru..." is “the most kickass funny, intelligent and relevant film of our times”.